Kidblog Around the Web: Tips, Tricks, and Experiences

We love it when classroom teachers publish articles about their own experiences implementing Kidblog in the classroom. Here’s a list of recent posts that can help you find success with student blogging.

Mrs. Klipfel is a curriculum integration specialist in Massachusetts whose students started using Kidblog late last year. The beauty about her post is not just how beneficial blogging can be for students, but she actually includes the contract she has students fill out before they start blogging. This is a great way to get the kids to take their work online seriously and with full respect for themselves and others. The contact covers her expectations in online safety as well as how students can best accomplish her learning goals.

The folks over at Assessment the Web 2.0 Way have created an authoritative Wikispace about how to use Kidblog for all of your assessment needs. Not only is an overview of the system given, but also learning objectives, assessment examples, and sample rubrics are listed for most subject areas. This is a great place to start if you’re having trouble figuring out where Kidblog might fit into your assessment strategy.

Last year, Pernille Ripp wrote a guest post for MiddleWeb that might be looked at as a manifesto for classroom blogging, as well as a short explanation for why she chose Kidblog for the task. In 10 + 1 steps, she goes over how to start your kids blogging from the ground level. There are also some key links about setting permissions correctly, instructing kids on safety, and how to connect their blog with others around the world. Blogging in the classroom might seem like a big undertaking, but this post can help relieve any intimidation you might feel.

Sara over at The Colorful Apple describes how she’s using Kidblog as a repository for book talks with her students. Like many teachers, she was having students log the books they read outside of class on paper. Many kids responded by saying they love to read, but filling out the logs was cumbersome. By using Kidblog, kids have become more engaged in the book logging process, which has led to the opportunity for the students to think more deeply about what they’re reading. Every week, she posts a focus question, then students take it from there. They even comment on each other’s work, something that wasn’t possible with the paper book logs.

If you know of other great Kidblog resources that would benefit teachers and students in their daily work, don’t hesitate to let us know. Happy blogging!

13 comments

Cathy Schewe

October 19th, 2014 - 12:31am

I have been using Kidblog since January 2014. Students are required to post once a week. I make a required post and they take it from there. Many students are on their blog nightly, posting and commenting. It is a way to be connected to their classmates and have communication with them. I looped with my class, and so over the summer, it was my way to keep connected with them. Also, they were able to stay connected with each other. Students are also on their blog in school. The Global Read Aloud has really brought our blog to life this year. Students are really into checking out other blogs doing the GRA. I also added Shelfari and this has been a great widget to help students search for books that they want to read next in Reader’s Workshop. For students that have a difficult time with writing, when they are blogging all those difficulties seem to disappear. We love Kidblog.

Hello. I am a first-grade teacher in Maryland and currently enrolled in a graduate program to study educational technology. I enjoyed reading how others used Kidblog to enhance student learning.Here is a link to my website, where I share how I used Kidblog with my students. http://usingedtech.weebly.com/

Laurie Pitcher

November 23rd, 2015 - 12:55pm

Have you created a step by step instruction guide? If so, can you share it with me? I have so many questions about the new format. What is the best way to connect with another class on Kid Blog? Do we need to make an official “connection”? If so how do you add a class connection on Kid Blog? Do you add the link to another class blog or is there more? How do we add tags? I really enjoyed the old format and I am getting to know the new format too. I have just been puzzled about the lack of instruction on how to use Kid Blog. I can’t seem to find specific instructions on how to use the blog.

Laurie Pitcher

Kidblog

January 12th, 2016 - 5:31pm

Laurie,

Yes, students can add an email address to their user profile. Then the address can be verified by clicking the email link. If students cannot receive email from outside the school domain (a common GAFE setting), they can click “Connect with Google” on the profile and re-enter their password. Next time they log in, simply click “Log in with Google”.

I am quickly falling in love with Kidblog and the kids think it is awesome. The one thing I cannot seem to figure out is how to connect with other schools through Kidblog. How can I search for other blogs so my students can read the work of others?
Thanks!

Kidblog

June 17th, 2016 - 7:09am

Hi Jayme,

We are so excited to hear you and your students have been enjoying Kidblog. One of it’s best features is the ability to connect with classrooms outside of your school and even worldwide. Check out this help center article for more information on how to expand your class’ reach. Twitter can also be a great method for finding classrooms around the nation and world!

I am very new to Kidblog and would love to connect with your class. I do not see a list of suggested connections but if you would send me the website address of your class, I will add it to our connections! Thank you so very much!